An average dog litter is between five and six puppies according to the AKC, although this number varies greatly based on breed, age, and the size of the dog. Smaller dogs often have fewer puppies at a time, and large and giant breeds typically have larger litters.
It is common for miniature breeds to have three to four puppies, while large breeds can have up to 15 puppies in one litter. Many other factors also influence litter size, like whether artificial insemination was used, the father’s sperm count and the timing of breeding. Another key factor that influences litter sizes is breed management. Since there are often economic factors at play while breeding dogs, breeders try to produce as many puppies in each litter as possible.
